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I am new to MR points. Actually, I am new to credit cards in general. Always been a "if I can't pay with cash, I don't need it" type. Just started consciously building credit in March of this year.
I have a Gold Card, just got my SUB, and have a little over 52k points on it.
I have no loyalty program memberships and no specific preferences on things like airlines and hotels.
I am about to plan a trip to Europe. Details are still in flux, but something like: trip for two, to Vienna or Frankfurt, September or October (or if timing doesn't work, it might slip to spring).
Based on my research so far, I am thinking I should buy tickets wherever they're cheapest, and use the MR points for hotels. Is that a good plan? Do MR points go further with Hilton or Marriott? Again, I have no brand preference. Marriott seems more straightforward to price out with points.
I am a bit confused about situations where there are several points systems that work for overlapping airlines, and since I am not a member of any of those programs, I sometimes hit a wall trying to find actual prices. I will see a price range, but when I try to see the specific point cost, I sometimes am prompted for login info I don't have yet. Not sure if I should go ahead and sign up for eight or ten programs just to check prices.
I'm a fish out of water and I know that this is second nature for a lot of people here, so hoping somebody can give me a head start. Thanks!
RDU
Thanks!
@Shadowfactor Bonvoy and I need to have a word with you... outside.
Seriously, though, there are a ton of great ways to use MRs. And I even used 20k or so to (gasp) book a one-way KLM flight from LHR-AMS-BRU through Amex Travel at 1cpp a few months ago, but there was added value for me in that I got SkyMiles back and added to my elite qualifying miles for 2020 status.
One thing worth noting is that @KJinNC mentioned two people would be going, and it could be as early as a month or two from now. So while 30k or so MRs honestly might not that be difficult to rack up (especially watch those Amex Offers; they can be huge), 110k or so more for two tickets might be and if time constraints are in play, we know that Amex holds MRs hostage for a full statement cycle. Not much use in snagging an awesome lie-flat seat if your companion doesn't have the means or desire to pony up the $4-10,000 cash fare! Planning award travel for 2 or more people can be a lot more challenging, not only with the points needed but also the availability.
But I will certainly defer to others on better usage outside of Delta and its partners.
@KJinNC wrote:I am new to MR points. Actually, I am new to credit cards in general. Always been a "if I can't pay with cash, I don't need it" type. Just started consciously building credit in March of this year.
I have a Gold Card, just got my SUB, and have a little over 52k points on it.
I have no loyalty program memberships and no specific preferences on things like airlines and hotels.
I am about to plan a trip to Europe. Details are still in flux, but something like: trip for two, to Vienna or Frankfurt, September or October (or if timing doesn't work, it might slip to spring).
Based on my research so far, I am thinking I should buy tickets wherever they're cheapest, and use the MR points for hotels. Is that a good plan? Do MR points go further with Hilton or Marriott? Again, I have no brand preference. Marriott seems more straightforward to price out with points.
I am a bit confused about situations where there are several points systems that work for overlapping airlines, and since I am not a member of any of those programs, I sometimes hit a wall trying to find actual prices. I will see a price range, but when I try to see the specific point cost, I sometimes am prompted for login info I don't have yet. Not sure if I should go ahead and sign up for eight or ten programs just to check prices.
I'm a fish out of water and I know that this is second nature for a lot of people here, so hoping somebody can give me a head start. Thanks!
I'm no expert but I think you can get the most bang for your buck by exchanging for one of their airline travel partners.
I just priced out a flight using Delta SkyMiles. It is cheaper to fly to from RDU to Dusseldorf than Frankfurt for the date range I picked, so I went with that. Round trip for main cabin economy for two people comes to 144,000 miles plus some fees. So, if I transfer my 52k points into 52k SkyMiles, I guess I'd get a little more than 1/3rd off.
I have priced tickets (cash purchase) at around $2,000 or $2,200 elsewhere, so, depending what I'd need to pay along with the points, that makes me think those points would be worth around $700.
Does this seem like a good approach, or would I probably come out ahead to use some other partner? Thanks!
Personally I wouldn’t use points + cash. The value is rarely good.
If you don’t have enough points now for the entire airfare, I would just pash cash. You should be able to find a sub $500 TATL fare if you look around.
Stalk secret flying or TPG deals. They usually post some good airfare deals for economy